E-auction for FM radio channels to start soon as MHA gives nod

E-auction of the first batch of 135 FM radio channels in 69 cities are set to start soon with the Home Ministry giving security clearance to at least 20 applicants to take part in the bidding process.
The Home Ministry is understood to have refused security clearance to the Sun Network which was one of the 28 applicants that responded to the notice inviting applications for bidding for the first batch of channels in the e-auction under private FM Radio Phase III expansion.
"With the security clearance, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry now can go ahead with the bidding process," official sources said.

The Home Ministry's security clearance is mandatory for the applicants to take part in the bidding process.
Government hopes to garner an estimated Rs 550.18 crore in revenue through e-auction of first batch of 135 FM radio channels in 69 cities.
The I&B Ministry has been pressing for early process of security clearance to the FM channel applicants as the e-auction process has already been delayed.
The application of the Sun Network was rejected apparently due to the pending CBI and other cases against its promoter Kalanithi Maran and his brother and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran.